Popcorn Time, the ‘Netflix of Pirating’: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

A new downloadable app called Popcorn Time is starting to get buzz as a number of media outlets have dubbed it the “Netflix of Pirated Movies.”

Here is what you need to know about this super-convenient way to watch copyright-infringing movies:

1. It Downloads Movie Torrents So You Don’t Have To

Anyone who’s ever tried to download movies illegally by using one of the hundreds of sketchy torrent websites knows that it can be a hassle and sometimes harmful to your computer.

According to an interview with 1 of the 20 Popcorn Time collaborators gave to TorrentFreak.com, the app will convert torrent to streaming video, allowing viewers to watch movies with a single click and no downloading.

2. It’s Totally Free

(getpopcornti.me)

The creators of Popcorn Time have dedicated themselves to keeping their service absolutely free. Part of what makes other streaming website targets for law enforcement is the sale of adds. This means the websites are directly profiting off of pirated material, a larger offense than versus just posting them for free.

3. It Violates a Ton of Copyright Laws

(Wikipedia)

The reason Popcorn Time will be hard for Hollywood to prosecute, however, is because the company makes no money off the endeavor, and also hosts none of the illegal content.

Sebastian, a Popcorn Time collaborator and designer from Argentina, told TorrentFreak:

We don’t expect legal issues. We don’t host anything, and none of the developers makes any money. There are no ads, no premium accounts, and no subscription fees or anything like that. It’s an experiment to learn and share.